2019 Subaru Ascent: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY

All the safety systems become disabled and check Engine light goes on because transmission fluid is being pumped Out of a faulty secondary pressure sensor part 31878aa020,( defective and replaced with 31878aa021), into the engines wiring at the car computer, transmission computer, and bulkhead connector in fuse box causing all sorts of engine codes. The setting of the engine code closes all the vehicles driver safety systems and changes the dynamic of the drivers driving experience. As the problem gets worse, it can render the car powerless on roads and highways making operation dangerous. I have my car parked in front of the house with the battery and electrical connectors unplugged. This problem is covered by one or more recalls and safety campaigns, but subaru refuses to fix mine and other peoples that I found on Facebook. Someone online listed a $6500.00 repair estimate. They just had it repossessed instead. This part causes the pressure differences that cause the jerky ride and is specifically alluded to in the recall, plus subaru even changed the part because it was defective.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Transmission · TX

My 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited had a safety recall that was related to a CVT transmission issue. That safety recall was addressed by Sewell Subaru (Dallas, TX) in January of 2025. This past Wednesday, July 29, I was driving on a state highway on my way to work from my residence. Not even two miles away from my residence, I felt a jerk and a loud "thud". That was followed by loss of power in that the vehicle just was rolling, but no power from the gas. I was able to safely maneuver onto a the shoulder and stop the vehicle. Within minutes, I noticed a puddling of a large amount of fluid that I could easily recognize was not oil. The vehicle was towed back to Sewell Subaru this past Saturday and I was notified today that the CVT belt snapped and it caused a hold in the transmission case, which caused the fluid to leak. The service advisor also mentioned that Subaru is not wanting to cover the replacement and that they are citing that the reason is that Subaru records are showing irregular servicing done by a Subaru service center. This issue has nothing to do with routine maintenance, or where I get those, and has everything to do with the catastrophic failure of the very same component that was at the heart of their known safety recall issue.

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Transmission · CO

We have been dealing with issues with this vehicle since 2024. We had 3 open recalls which we took into the closest dealership to us and things were okay for a few months and then started having issues again. We live in a small town and it is hard to get to the dealership so we had a few local mechanics take a look and one had found that the exhuast recall was not installed properly and so he addressed that issue. Things were then okay for a little bit after that and then we started having bigger issues the car would not exceed 30 MPH in the middle of us driving and then the car would jerk back and forth. After advice from Subaru of America we got it checked out at a dealership who put a part into the vehicle and then we got it back and less than a week later the car was doing the same things. We took it back and they kept the car for 2 weeks but told us they could not duplicate the problem so we got the car back and right away had the same issues when taking it home. The CVT is for sure messing up we believe and now the car does not drive at all. After some back and forth we found out that the 1st owners took it in for the CVT recall so I reached out to the dealership who did that and was told that they did look at it but at the time the CVT was not an issue but the mileage was fairly low at that time. Personally I am not in a place to afford to get it replaced on my own but I do not believe that the recall should have been closed out knowing that the part would eventually go out since it is a known issue on that car I have tried to go back and forth to get this resolved but I am not getting anywhere and I am not sure what to do at this point to try and get the problems address and made right.

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Component/System Failed: The vehicle’s CVT transmission and related transmission components. The transmission and associated components have been replaced multiple times by authorized Subaru dealerships. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Description of the Failure and Safety Risk: The vehicle has experienced repeated, intermittent transmission malfunctions, including warning lights, loss of power during acceleration, and sudden harsh re-engagement. Most recently, while accelerating through an intersection from a stop, the vehicle briefly lost power and then abruptly surged forward, causing a pronounced lurch strong enough to chirp the tires. This created a serious safety concern. A hesitation or loss of motive power in an active intersection exposes me to potential cross-traffic collisions, while the sudden re-engagement creates unpredictable acceleration and possible loss of control. The intermittent nature of the malfunction makes it impossible to anticipate when it will occur. Dealer/Manufacturer Involvement: The issue has been reported to and inspected by authorized Subaru dealerships multiple times. Because the malfunction is intermittent, dealers have stated they cannot fully diagnose the issue unless warning lights are active at the time of inspection. Subaru corporate customer advocacy has been involved in reviewing the case. Warning Lamps / Prior Symptoms: Intermittent transmission and check engine warning lights have appeared repeatedly over several months. The lights often illuminate while driving and then turn off after restarting the vehicle, despite the underlying issue not being resolved.

Filed Jan 18, 2023 · Fuel system, Transmission · KS

On speeds of about 70+, both on cruise control and off, car jerks for about 5-10 seconds when accelerating on steep hills. It also happens after the car has been driving for more than 1hr or so. Fuel consumption is about 19-20mpg regardless of highway only driving contrary to advertised

Filed Jul 12, 2022 · Transmission · 14,400 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Ascent. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V955000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the transmission was jerking and hesitating while driving. The approximate failure mileage was 14,400. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Apr 23, 2022 · Transmission · CO · crash

Car was parked and had foot on brake when car suddenly lurched forward and hit a car in front. At first I thought that my foot had slipped off brake pedal and onto accelerator pedal but after reviewing the incident later in the day, I do not believe that my foot slipped. Subaru issued a recall on my vehicle #21V955000 in December 2021 but never notified me directly and I did not learn about this defect until I took the car in for routine maintenance. Was not advised that this recall might be hazardous. It is now been 4 months and Subaru has yet to issue a fix. I am now thinking that what just happened is a result of this defect or some other form of sudden unexpected acceleration and now am afraid to drive the vehicle.

Filed Dec 28, 2021 · Transmission · MI

2019 Subaru Ascent purchased new. The car only has about 25,000 miles on it now. I have had several incidents when driving on a curved road about 30 miles an hour the transmission jerks and causes the whole car to shudder abruptly sevral times in a row. Also when backing up and I completely stop the car before putting into drve, it jerks and makes a load noise. I have had the car into the Subaru dealer several times for these drivetrain problems and they say they never made a repair. They say they drove it and did not find the problem. They should have taken the transmission cover off and inpected the transmision chain and componnts. There was a prwvious transmission recall and now another one. Since the dealr allowed this problem to continue the transmission probably has mechanical damge.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Driver assistance, Engine · PA

Trying to pass an 18-wheeler on PA Turnpike. Weather 68-degrees, sunny day, no precipitation. When accelerating, the vehicle began shaking. There was a stutter in engine, shaking the vehicle. Suddenly a loud bang jolted the car and the Crash avoidance system applied breaks (I was the left passing lane, at a speed of 70 mph, with more than a dozen vehicles close behind). Emergency collision warning, EyeSight warning, check engine, RAB, and numerous dash error alterts illuminated. The parking brake turned on and off without human intervention (it's computer-controlled). The engine shut off and a multiple car fishtail began behind me. Fortunately, no one was hurt. I put the car in Neutral, lurched to the side of the road, and called OnStar. Calls to the dealer have not been returned. I drive elementary children to scouts and sporting events. I can't imagine the horror had they been harmed or worse.

Filed Oct 13, 2020 · WA

When accelerating the car lurches and hesitates, there is also a low growling noise from the right side. This happens most often at low speeds, in neighborhood driving, under 30 miles hour. The car has already had a new transmission as we were told this would resolve the issue. Almost immediately the issue continued and was back at the dealership. The official diagnosis from the dealership is we do not know what the issue is and we cannot fix it. Please drive as normal. This issue has bene ongoing with the car for months.

Filed Feb 7, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 11,841 miles · CA

Check engine light - diagnosis ' vehicle loses power after rapid acceleration above 45mph. A whooshing sound occurs and then acceleration is limited. All warning lights flash including 'check engine.' this has occurred once about a month ago and diagnosed as a poorly replaced gas cap'although it was actually on securely. It occurred 2 weeks later 3 more times within two days. I brought it in with the lights on and issue still occurring to subaru pacific. They cleared codes and tried to recreate issue without success. They released the car back to me after corporate deferred to them. Upon driving out of dealership, the same thing happened only after acceleration above 18 MPH'all warning lights back on and sputtering/jerking/loss of power. Whooshing sound. Dealer is in possession of the car again to look into it. Also, there tends to be a grey-blue hue to the exhaust each time car starts.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 12,000 miles · FL

When holding speed constant between approximately 20-35 MPH, or under very light acceleration in this range, vehicle seems to jerk, surge, pulse, or similar. It feels similar to being in the car with someone learning to drive a manual transmission.